Book reviews

Giessen: Psychosozial-Verlag; 2017 bis 2018. Bd. 8: 183 Seiten, Preis: € 69,90. ISBN: 978-3-8379-2408-4 Bd. 9: 422 Seiten, Preis: € 69,90. ISBN: 978-3-8379-2409-1. Bd. 10: 279 Seiten, Preis: € 69,90. ISBN: 978-3-8379-2410-7. Mit dem Erscheinen der nächsten drei Bände der Sigmund Freud-Gesamtausgabe (SFG) im letzten und in diesem Jahr geht die Reise durch die Werkbiographie und alle publizierten Texte Freuds weiter; wir befinden uns in den Jahren 1901 bis 1906. Eminente Werke werden in dieser Zeit veröffentlicht. Da ist zum einen «Zur Psychopathologie des Alltagslebens». Freud untersucht die bislang wissenschaftlich unbeachteten Phänomene, die jeder kennt, die Fehlhandlungen, wie Versprecher, Verschreiber oder Lesefehler, und Fehlleistungen, wie das Vergessen. Allein das gesammelte Material macht aus dem Text eine Fundgrube zur Kulturund Alltagsgeschichte der Psychopathologie. Revolutionär aber ist das Studienergebnis: die kleinen Fehler des täglichen Lebens verdanken sich den nämlichen seelischen Mechanismen und Kräften, die auch den Traum gestalten und die seelischen Be lastungen und Krankheiten, die damals so genannten Psychoneurosen. Damit aber ist eine Brücke geschlagen zwischen Krankheit und Normalität, das scheinbar Abwegige oder Anormale lässt sich nicht ausgrenzen, es wird von den seelischen Kräften gestaltet, die jeder Mensch bei sich beherbergt. In bewundernswerter Konsequenz verfolgt Freud diesen Pfad weiter. Er widmet sich nun dem Witz: «Der Witz und seine Beziehungen zum Unbewußten» – auch das Lachen und der Effekt eines Witzes lassen sich durch die unbewussten Prozesse erläutern. Hinzu kommt: Wenn wir einen Witz erzählen, dann nutzen wir ganz selbstverständlich die Sprache, der Witz wird erzählt. Daher bietet es sich für Freud an, die Zusammenhänge zwischen unbewusster Dynamik und Sprache zu erforschen, ein Thema, das im Übrigen ja schon überall in der «Traumdeutung» einige Jahre früher bei der Untersuchung der Traumerzählungen relevant war. Wie das Unbewusste mit der Sprache arbeitet und spielt, wie umgekehrt das Unbewusste eine Funktion der Sprache ist, diese Fragestellung wird im Verlauf des letzten Jahrhunderts von Jacques Lacan bis Julia Kristeva und darüber hinaus aufgegriffen. Die Psychoanalyse wird bereits früh für Linguistik und Semiotik wichtig, wie auch umgekehrt. Freud ist in den ersten Jahren des 20. Jahrhunderts bereits eine berühmte Persönlichkeit. Für seine These von der sexuellen Ätiologie der seelischen Krankheiten wird er aber auch angegriffen. Einige kleinere Texte widmen sich der Aufgabe, geduldig zu erläutern, wie diese These zu verstehen ist. Aber das reicht nicht; es wird Zeit für eine systematische Darstellung der eigenen Sexualtheorie im Kontext des Forschungsstandes seiner Zeit, und die liefert Freud in den «Drei Abhandlungen zur Sexualtheorie» in grosser Klarheit. Da auch die empirische Basis seiner oft als Spekulation abgetanen Befunde angezweifelt wird, entschliesst sich Freud nach langer Vorbereitungszeit, einen detaillierten Einblick in die eigene Arbeit zu geben, um auf diese Weise Zeugnis abzulegen von dem Ursprung hysterischer Phänomene in der psychosexuellen Traumatisierung und in darauf aufbauenden unbewussten Konflikten, aber auch um zu zeigen, wie er arbeitet, wie die analytische Methode es erlaubt, anders nicht fassbare Erlebnisformen sehen, verstehen und bearbeiten zu können. «Bruchstück einer Hys terie-Analyse» heisst der Text, in dem der wissenschaftshistorisch berühmte Fall «Dora» niedergelegt ist und der seither niemals aufgehört hat diskutiert zu werden. Wie bereits in den früheren Bänden freue ich mich besonders über die bislang kaum oder gar nicht zugänglichen kleinen Text-Miniaturen; ich beschränke mich auf einige Beispiele: In ganz kurzen Worten bespricht Freud einen – damals freilich noch nicht so genannten – Ratgeber zu «Lebensregeln für Neurastheniker» (Band 10, S. 207). Das lapidare Fazit: Für den Kranken sei das Buch völlig unzureichend, und der Gesunde lese derlei Bücher ohnehin nicht. Was würde Freud zur unübersehbaren Flut der Ratgeberliteratur heute sagen, sie vielleicht als Ausdruck einer persönlichen Orientierungslosigkeit werten? In einem Gutachten äussert sich Freud zum Entwurf eines neuen Eherechts (Band 10, S. 201–206). Ohne Wenn und Aber plädiert er für die «Legalisierung andrer als der ehelichen Beziehungen zwischen den Geschlechtern», auf die Frage hin, wie die Sittlichkeit in der Gesellschaft zu fördern sei. Ebenso bestimmt und mutig fällt die Stellungnahme zu einem Fall eines bekannten Akademikers aus, der wegen Homosexualität verurteilt worden war (Band 10, S. 209–212, «Stellungnahme zum Fall Prof. Dr. Beer»). Freud macht klar, dass der Homosexuelle «nicht vor das Forum eines Gerichtshofes gehört», und weiter: «Homosexuelle Personen sind nicht krankhaft». Zugleich aber grenzt Freud davon ab, dass «ein Mensch, der Knaben missbraucht hat, die noch nicht das gesetzliche Alter erreicht haben», verurteilt werden sollte. In der Rezension früherer Bände habe ich die editorische Entscheidung, alle Texte chronologisch zu veröffentlichen, in ihren Stärken und Schwächen bereits dargestellt. Der nun

Examination of the Imposture of Ann Moore. 4C9 true, would be so merciless as to have all unbelievers of their narrative damned ; but we do conceive that it would be extremely convenient to them if the injunction of brother Engelbrecht, not to allow their reason to perk up, were especially heeded.
Among the instances which Dr. Henderson has adduced in support of his opinion that the fasting woman of Tutbury is an impostor, is one which bears so many points of resemblance, that he has subjoined a parallel of their cases, which Ave shall insert for the amusement as well as edification of our readers. Anna Maria Kinker, the notorious counterpart of Ann Moore, appears to have exhibited her feats at Osnaburg.
Parallel of the Cases of Ann Moore and Anna Maria Ktnker* Ann Moore. " Her countenance is fresh and animated."?" She is naturally of a cheerful and talkative dispositions?Med. and Phj/s. Journ. and Account, SfC. by J. L. " Possesses great strength of mind."?" This circumstance convinced me of the powers of her memory."?Account) fyc. Month " She had an agreeable physiognomj*, and a very fair complexion f her cheeks were rather florid."? " She appeared cheerful."?Gnr~ ner, p. 7, 1 " She displayed great strength and quickness of memory on all occasions, and no common degree of curiosityP. 36. " The pious resignation with which the mother and daughter spoke of her extraordinary condition, contributed not a little ta heighten the effect of the scene," ?P. 7. " There was no want of vi-< sitors, even from among the higher ranks; and they seldom took leave without making a present to tha girl or her parents."?P. 8 She expressed her " willingness to submit to any thing that was ?thought necessary for the satisfaction of the public."?Ibid. " She finds every good effect attained from the occasional cleansing her mouth with a moistened jag."?Taylor.
?" In the course of the first three ?days of the investigation, she ^wallowed in the whole about an ounce and a half of water; but, happening to step into the room while she was swallowing it, the .extreme misery of deglutition, and the violent rising of wind resisting its passage to a degree that almost seemed to threaten suffocation, induced me to dissuade her from taking any more, while the experiment that was .to vindicate her veracity continued. " She constantly begs not to be urged to take any thing, as the attempt to swallow gives her grievous pain."?Allen. " Convulsions have come on from so slight an excitement as surprise."?Granger. Anna Maria Kinker. " SlisS appejrred lo sleep soundly ; jet she averred, that she only slumbered, and had heard all that was spoken."?P. 45. " Complained of a pain in the lefthypochondrium."?P. 1)2.
" She told us her relation was true, and (hat we were at liberty to publish it."?P. GO. She confessed, '' that since the second day <of our watching, she had contrived lo convey a certain quantity of water into her month, by squeezing the sponge ;?that, during the first watching, she had .sucked some water from a wet cloth, which was placed under the 'left side of her lace, under pretence of heat."?P. S3-4. Confessed, " that, during the last eight days of the first watching, her mother had secretly conveyed into her bed a small bottle of water ; anil that she had diunk it in the night, when the lamp was so placed that the watcli could not observe her."j?P. 126. " She was now made drink some mouthfuls of water, which she swallowed with affected dillieulty.'V-P. 84. She said, ?" that, when her father, at any time, asked her to eat, she had always begged him not to put her to that pain."? P;> 150.
Confessed, " that she had two or three times counterfeited fainting, in order to deter us from attempting to move her."?P. 152. Our readers are now iu possession qf the facts which the industry and ingenuity of Dr. Henderson have enabled him to acquire upon a very curious subject. The public appears to take considerable interest in it; for, though honest John JBull is a very credulous animal, he is very angry when he discovers that a deception is practised upon him. We SGii ,shail9 412 Critical Analysis.
shall, probably, in our next Journal, have occasion to notice a very different publication, taking a very opposite view of the subject, and embellished by the designs of one of the ablest draftsmen of the present age. We also learn, that, at the suggestion of a certain divine, Ann Moore has consented to submit to another ordeal:?we wish her well through it; for, although she has experience in her favor, the means of deceiving her guard will probably not be so practicable as oil a former occasion. We would also remind those curious gentlemen upon whom her bold assertions and confident demeanor make a strong impression, of the hoax practised some years since at the Haymarket theatre, where a crowded audience actually assembled to witness a grownup man squeeze himself into a quart pot; or of the pie-man who persuaded many sober people his delectable cry of Jiot! hot! on Westminster bridge, could be heard at Chelsea, the Ardent Fever, as observed at Guadeloupe, Gibraltar, and Plymouth. The object of this paper is to show the efficacy of blood-Jetting in the early stage of what is commonly denominated Yellow Fever. The continued and bilious remittent fevers of the West Indies, Mr. Parson considers but as modifications of the same disease ; the predisponent causes to which are, in his opinion, " marsh miasmata, the consequence of high atmospherical temperature, with moisture from putrid vegetable exhalations, with which the system of a newly-arrived European being duly impregnated, a very slight exciting cause is sufficient to set this violent stimulus in motion, the first effect of which is demonstrated by an inordinate action of the heart and arteries, but a non-correspondent one in the venous and absorbent systems, which are from the commencement of the disease in a state of torpor. " The morbid force is of a most violent and concentrated character, exhibited in the peculiar determination of blood ?o the brain, in most instances, but in all to the abdominal viscera in particular, where, upon dissection, the most fcirn;idable traces of the disease are always present. Its natural course, in the primary stage, consists in strong and rapid povement, ultimately tending to tiie destruction of certain prgans, by producing congestion and inflammation.
? The curative indication consists in unloading the vessels ' as Observations on the Treatment of Yellow Fever. 413 as quickly as possible, by copious and repeated blood-letting, until the symptoms caused by the unequal action of, and between the arterial and venous systems abate. These powerful means are to be aided by the free use of cathartics, so as to keep up a constant action of the bowels, by tepid diluent drinks, and warm baths, and, what I consider would be still better, vapour-baths, to cause a determination to the skin." To the employment of cold affusion in the first attack of this fever, our author objects, but considers it to be serviceable after due depletion by the lancet. Of mercury, which has been so highly extolled, he says, garJous point, which by an opposite treatment would not liave been dangerous. Alcohol, wine, opium, and bark, Lave much t o answer for.
Of this practical paper, the utility of which we can observe through the mistiness of an involved style, we cannot take leave without stating, that Mr. Parson has found the-Liquor Arsenicalis greatly serviceable in remittents and intermittents. " Its use with me," he says, " in those diseases lias been unboundedly successful, particularly where the bark

Mas failed
The remaining part of this paper, which is divided into Nos. 2 and 3 of this Journal, rebates particularly to the epidemic fever which occurred at Gibraltar, at Alicant, and Carthageea, in 1804, and the subsequent years; and to the treatment of the contagious fever among the seamen that were sent ashore to the llo3'al Hospital at Plymouth.
IV. On Nervous Affections, and on the Treatment of Chorea Sancti Viti. By David Uwins, M.D. Dr. Uwins premises, with great propriety, some remarks on the folly of making all practice submit to theory ; and tipon the hazard now incurred by employing the evacuating plan to an absurd extent, in opposition to the tonic and stimulant hypothesis, which lately lorded over our understanding with such absolute tyranny.
Several cases of Chorea are related as treated by different and opposite methods. In the first, where wine and tonics had been emploj^ed, with violent aggravation of the disease, purging was successful. In the second, a young female of strumous idiosyncrasy, cathartics were given for three weeks* with an increase of involuntary motions. This was cured by the argenti nitras, given, at first, in a sixth part of a grain, but gradually increased to nearly five grains in the course of the day. The third case was in a female in her 15th year, who was afflicted with chorea approaching to epilepsy. The countenance indicated much irritability; the pupil was exceedingly dilated j the head was sometimes in great pain ; and the whole body was agitated to such a de*. gK?e, that, in whatever posture she might be, it was always necessary for at least one person to hold and restrain her.
Calomel and purges were .employed. The discharges from the bowels were considerable, of that kind which are seen as attendant on worms, and occasionally large quantities of scybalaj. The continuance of this plan for some weeks did not moderate the disease, which was afterward subdued by the administration, two Qr three times a-day, of the following- In the fourthcase the Tinctura Digitalis was given to the quantity of thirty drops every six hours, beginning with ten, with evident advantage as to moderating the involuntary motions. Great debility succeeded to the use of this remedy, which, after the subsidence of the chorea, was removed by hark and steel. The fifth case* which came suddenly on a ^ fine girl of eighteen, terminated fatally in a month, with apparently serous effusion in the brain.
The result of these cases shows, in the ratio of three to One, that the treatment opposite to that of constant purging, is most to be depended on.
On the Cure of Tetanus by Opium and the Warm Bath, By Thomas Christie, M.I). The intention of Dr. Christie is to recal practitioners to the old, and, in his opinion, efficient remedies, opium and the warm bath, in preference to trusting to purgatives and cold affusion, which he considers as more doubtful, though.recommended on high authority.
The case of M'Gowan, related by Dr. Christie in this paper, is given with minute accuracy by Mr. Leath, the gentleman under whose immediate care it was placed, in one of the preceding numbers of our Journal, and to that we refer, our readers. VI. Dr. Adams's Answer to Mr. Edmonstone, respecting' the Venereal Disease at Otaheite.
As this paper is written only with the view to defend some opinions of its author against the remarks of Mr. Edmonstone, we cannot extract any thing from it that will interest our readers. VII. A Letter on the Cure of Curved Spine. By B. T. Burroughs, Surgeon. In the two varieties of curved spine, the one arising from debility, and the other from disorganisation of the vertebras, Mr. Burroughs reprobates the constant confinement of the patient to a horizontal posture. The object of enforcing the horizontal posture is to take off the superincumbent weight from the morbid part: but this the writer thinks is more than counterbalanced '03^ the weakness which ensues 011 the long confinement to bed, with the loss of air and exercise. Where the body of the vertebrae is diseased, and the curvature results from this, the eyre is asserted to take place by anchylosis; but the horizontal position, and the wearing of instruments, both tending to leave an open space which the dissolved Critical Analysis. dissolved vertebras bad occupicd, prevents or retards this anchylosis, in the opinion of Mr. Burroughs. A diagram is given to show this; but so unfortunatety designed, or so carelessly cut, as to exhibit the contrary to what the author means.
If we cannot agree fully with the reasoning of this writer, we accord with him in earnestly desiring the opinion of the gentleman to whom he appeals: medical science is always benefited by investigations of Mr. Astley Cooper. VIII. Observations on the Yellow Fever of New York in 1803.
On this subject of great interest Dr. Ramsay offers some facts that may be useful in the completion of its natural history.
On the weakened or torpid state of the lymphatic system, which we had occasion to notice in the first article of this analysis, as so often occurring in the bilious remittent inter tropica, and on the use of mercury in this disease, Dr. Ramsay expresses himself as follows: " The diseased state of the lymphatics (which seems always connected with debility), which I discovered and described when a pupil of the celebrated Mr. Cruickshanks of London, was detected in several of those subjects who died of yellow-fever. This consists in the lymphatics losing their transparency and elasticity, and assuming an opake and inelastic slate. In proportion as this opacity increases, so does their dilatation and thickening of the coats ; the utility of the valves ceases; congestion takes place. When such vessels suffer compression, or when they cease at any time to be filled with (heir contents, the highly active state of the vasa propria occasions accretion of the inner coat, and obliteration of the cavity, by which the regular progress of the lymph is prevented-This affection of the lymphatics seems most frequent in the lungs, and not unfrequently in the iliac plexus. It seems induced by any and all debilitating causes, especially indiscreet mercurial applications; and I attribute those I met with in America to this cause, as mercury is the incessant resort of practitioners in the interior of that country. I believe much harm is occasioned to the general constitution by the indiscriminate use of this medicine, in the northern states in particular; and I was pleased (and indeed honored) to find, that the opinions of the highly-respectable Dr. Saunders, of London, corresponded with the notions I hact given (in the colleges of New York, & c.) in his late judicious remarks on this very subject. This affection of the lymphatic system, (since I have divulged it to practitioners,) seems very prevalent in all parts of the human body. One of the first practitioners in midwifery in London, informed me, that for many years he had discovered the appearances mentioned in diseased mammas, but till then was at a loss to what cause to ascribe it. In indolent tumors, this seems to have been traced as the foundation of the evil." 4 Several W. S. Clark on Pseudo Syphilis. 417 Several proofs are given of the endemic quality of the yellow fever, which afford negative evidence of its non-contagious nature.
The history of what are called walking cases, is a remarkable feature in this fever.
" The person appears yellow, is listless, often seemingly in a state of fatuity; sometimes you cannot attract his attention by addressing yourself to him ; he walks about, without design, from place to place, and, in a moment, drops lifeless to the ground, without any previous symptom to warn attendants." IX. Case of Pseudo-Syphilis, with Remarks. By William Stevenson Clark, Surgeon.
That diseases resembling syphilis have appeared at all periods, and that medical science is indebted to Mr. Abernethy and Mr. Pearson, for elucidations of those obscure, intricate, and often doubtful, maladies, will not now be controverted. As the comprehending a series of moi'bid actions under any specific title is facilitated by detail, we shall make no apology for transcribing Mr. Clark's interesting case verbatim. " I was consulted some time ago by a person on account of atl excoriation on the side of the prepuce. The history of the case was this: His health had been for some time rather impaired : in the early part of January he had a conncction ; from this, however, no visible morbid symptom arose, till some weeks after, when a slight irritation was fell upon the prepuce; this was soon followed by a sore, extending from the middle of the left side of the prepuce, to the frasnum, and succeeded by an enlargement of the glands in each groin. Upon viewing accurately the sore, the surface of which exhibited little of the characteristic marks of a true venereal chancre, and particularly attending to the progress of the case, and the length of time that had elapsed between the connection and the appearance of the sore, I pronounced it not to be venereal, and directed the most simple applications to be made use of, as a saturnine lotion, or a poultice of milk and bread. This plan was tried (or some time, when it appearing to make no alteration, at least for the belter, I recommended a mild solution of calomel in lime-water, which in a short time completely healed it. Nothing now whatever appeared till early in May, when I was again consulted by the same person, on account of an uneasiness in his throat. Upon examining the tonsihs, I distinctly perceived a slight ulceration on each, accompanied with a degree of erysipelatous redness. The ulcerations kept gradually, but superficially, spreading, for about a week, when an eruption of pur-,p!e spots look place upon the skin, at the same time the inguinal glands continuing greatly enlarged. Confident, however, partly from the appearance of the primary sore, but more particularly from the distort/ of its progress, that it was not venereal, I recommended ll;a use of mild detergent gargles, and a moderate quantity of red port daily. From this time an uniform increase of the symptoms took place; the eruptions became more vivid, and the ulcerations of the tonsils, although extensive and sloughy, yet did not appear to penetrate deep, or to assume the thickened ragged edge. The case now became of considerable importance, and had arrived at a crisis which rendered it necessary for some additional steps to be pursued. I accordingly recommended the warm bath, which was to be repeated as often as the patient's strength would permit, and advised a plentiful use of the Peruvian bark, together with the application of the oxymel jeruginis to the tonsils. From this period to the beginning of July, a slow and almost uninterrupted progress was made. The ulcerations had extended from the tonsils up the inferior edge of the velamea palalinum, at which time the tonsils assumed a disposition to heal, but again quickly ulcerated. No benefit having at all resulted from the means hitherto made use of, and his health beginning to suffer, I de-?termined that he should repair into the country. The symptoms, which had hitherto been characterised by a very slow progress, now assumed a much more rapid increase ; the ulcerations spread on one side of the velamen palatinum, crossed the uvula, and completely affected the other, and the copper-colored eruptions became larger and more universally diffused. The conviction, however, of the peculiar character of the primary symptoms still supported me in the belief, that, although a most obstinate poison was secreted and thrown into the system, yet, that it was essentially different in its true specific properties from the venereal poison. In this opinion I had shortly the gratification of being confirmed, for a fortnight had not elapsed before a rapid and total disappearance of the eruptions took place;? this is a character which most decidedly marks the spurious syphilis from the genuine, as will be shortly observed at the conclusion of the case.
In a few days the eruptions again appeared, and continued for the space of three week?, at which time the progress of the poison appeared to have arrived at its acme. I now thought it right to try the effects of the sarsaparilia, and, for this purpose, directed half a pint of the compound decoction of sarsaparilla to be taken three times a-day, combining with each dose from five to eight drops of the muriate of barytes. From this period the ulcerations in the throat began to subside, their sloughy surface to look more healthy and to granulate, and the eruptions gradually to disappear, except -some slight fluctuations which have since taken place, sometimes all the' symp-"ioms being nearly exhausted, and then appearing again to resume a fresh morbid action, till the present time, when they have completely disappeared. Thus has a"most interesting case, which lasted, with very ambiguous symptoms, from the beginning of May to the latter end of September, finally terminated ziilhoitt one single particle of mtrcniy, and in a constitution where probably a complete course ot that mineral would have proved fatal." X. Further Observations on Painful Subcutaneous Tumor. By William Wood, Surgeon.
To the valuable histories related in a former paper on this -subject, a full analysis of which will be found in one of our preceding numbers, Mr. Wood has here added two more cases.
The practice of extirpation has in those, also been successful.
The Case of Purpura Uamorrhagia, by Dr. Jeffreys. 419 The object of Mr. Wood is, more particularly, to give in this paper a detailed review of what had been previously knoTjin on this subject. The first mention of this disease is found in Cheselden's Anatomy, JOth edition, who had thrice met with it. Camper, in his Devionstralionum Anatomico-Pathologicarum, liber primus, describes a species of tumor not larger than a pea, as giving rise to severe pain, and requiring extirpation for its cure. In the third volume of the Memoirs of the Medical Society of London, Dr A captain of a Swedish merchantman, aged 40, of a robust habit, and inured to hardship, applied to Dr. Jeffreys on account of an " effusion of spots of a logwood color, profusely sprinkled upon his arms, thighs, and some on his body, differing in size from that of a pin-head to a pea ; the same also appeared on his, lips, and within his mouth, one of which was as large as a horse-bean, elevated and spongy, but free from pain ; his gums occasionally bled ; no fever; his appetite and spirits good. He had been the subject of these symptoms, more or less, for several weeks, and had used different local remedies by the advice of a physician, who, with himself, supposed them connected with a syphilitic taint; he has repeated!}' had epistaxis to a great extent, and it has annoyed him in travelling from Hull to this town.'* A detail of the treatment is given, which was bleeding; ynd purging, till toward the conclusion, when Cinchona and Tinct. Ferri Muriat. were substituted. Dr. Jeffreys doubts, however, if the disease were not a case of Scorbutus petechialis rather than Purpura. XII. Cases of a peculiar Disease of the Testis, with Observations. By Thomas Little, M.D. These cases, two in number, consisted of an ulcerated state of the testis, with protrusion of fungus from the substance of the gland. Eseharotics of various kinds were applied, and in the first case ligature to the protruding tumor facilitated the cure. The second case, evidently connected with a syphilitic taint, yielded to a course of mercury, with the application of eseharotics to the fungus. Dr Consonant to the methods we have adopted, as most likely to make our readers acquainted with the subject matter of new publications, and to estimate for themselves the value of that matter, we shall give a short analysis of each section of this pamphlet in the order followed by the author.
The first section, on the Nature and Scat of true Cataract, contains a short history of the progress of knowlege respecting this disease froin Galen to Richter, a translation of whose treatise on the Extraction of the Cataract, from German into English, was published in 179'.
The Symptoms of Cataract, the subject of the second section, are divided into external or visible, and into internal or occult. The latter, or internal, as occurring prior to visible change in the lens, are first described.
circling the more or less opake nucleus of the lens. From the centra the opacity gradually extends to the edge of the crystalline, the imperfection in vision going on in nearly the same proportion. As the opacity increases, the fore part of the lens becomes more conspicuous, ?which led the ancients to believe that the cataract actually approaches toward the pupil. This is, however, a delusion, the cataract remaining stationary. The opacity.assumes a variety of tints, from the palest azure to a milk-white color, but which are by no means to be depended upon as true criterea of the state and consistence of the diseased lens. In some few iij5tan9.es, so inconsiderable is the shade presented S The third section, on the Liability of both Sexes and all Ages to Cataract, affords very little more than the observation, according to the author's experience, that the disease happens more frequently to the male than to the female sex. Though it is allowed that cataract appears most frequently in persons passed the meridian, yet children are not exempt from it, but are even born with the disease.
The proximate Cause of Cataract, is the subject of the fourth section, inflammation has been suspected of producing this state of the crystalline; but as cataract often arises without the preseuce of any symptom indicative of the existence of ir.flatfimatory action, that opinion is left in great obscurity. The hypotheses of Maitre Jan, and St. Ives, are shortly examined, and the section concludes with a conjecture of the author's, <c whether a consideration of the chemical composition of the crystalline, might tend to assist in the elucidation of this point. As the lens, according to Fonrcroy, consists of albumen with a small portion only of gelatine, may it not, when deprived of vitality, and subjected to the temperature of the human body, undergo an alteration analogous to coagulation r" Does our author mean that the crystalline, when in the cataractous state, is absolutely dead ?
The exciting Causes of Cataract, treated of in the fifth section, are not very lucidly displayed. Blows, wounds, exposure to strong heat, and vivid light, are enumerated as being properly exciting causes; but the section, short as it is, is principally occupied by observations on constitutional diseases, struma, scorbutus, syphilis, and gout, as giving rise to this disease, and on a peculiar idiosyncracy or hereditary disposition to opacity in the crystalline.
The sixth section gives an historical detail of the several filodes of treating Cataract. These are considered under the Iieads of dioptrical, physical, (medical we suppose the author means) and chirurgical. The dioptric means are confined to the employment of concave glasses. The physical means are 422 Critical Analysis. are remedies internally exhibited, or externally applied.
The internal remedies are those which are believed to induce an increased action of the absorbents; the external are the powerful stimulants electricity, galvanism, aithcr, infusion of capsicum, solutions of hydrarg. muriat., &c. But these failing, as they generally will, chirurgical aid is resorted to. The radical cure of this disease is effected by removing the opake crystalline from the axis of vision. Couching or depression, the primitive mode of removing the opake body, is noticed from its inventor Celsus,. to the accident that gave rise to extraction. This accident did not, however, happen 11 about the middle of the last century," that is 1750, as our euthor says, because " M. Mery recommended, in the year 1707, the practice of extraction in all cases of the disease." We mention this merely as a lapsus: we may be allowed to say that a book is not worse for being free from such slips.
A third method, of modern invention, the detail of which occupies above half of this treatise, and constitutes the seventh and last section, is the Removal of the different Species of Cataract by the Process of Absorption. To the late Mr. Saunders society is indebted for the developement of the principle on which this operation is founded, but subsequent practitioners have improved the methods of operating, and by practice have arrived at a manual dexterity, which, perhaps, the discoverer never attained. Among these practitioners, Mr. Stevenson is emulous to stand forward as the meliorator of the practice resulting from a knowledge of the solvent properties of the aqueous humor of the eye; and, in this section, gives a minute but we think a rather desultory account, interspersed with cases, of his particular methods. The nature of our publication precludes a minute detail of these methods, but we presume they will be read in the author's work by all who are peculiarly interested on the subject. Under these circumstances, we shall be content with giving a Valuable fact, and with copying the author's concluding paragraph.